Food and Nutritional Security

Modernizing our agriculture and fisheries for sustained economic growth, food and nutritional security and poverty reduction

Agriculture is a leading sector in The Gambia’s economy, contributing 20-30 per cent of the nation’s GDP and employing most of the country’s poor. The poor performance of the sector has resulted in deepening rural poverty and stalled GDP growth, which is barely able to keep up with population growth. The goal for agriculture under the plan is a modern, sustainable and market oriented agriculture and livestock sector for increased food and nutrition security, income and employment generation, poverty reduction and economic transformation.

Key interventions include an Agriculture Sector Policy and associated sub-sector policies to attract private sector investments; agriculture value chain development, including promotion of agri-business and agro processing; rebuilding and revitalizing the agricultural market infrastructure through cooperatives and commodities exchanges; quality assurance mechanisms development to strengthen access to export markets; increased production and productivity using sustainable land and water management practices to address hunger and food security needs; research and development and extension to ensure that farmers have access to the latest technologies, irrigation, seeds and other inputs to enhance productivity; promotion of climate smart agriculture to build resilience; pest and disease control, reduction of post harvest losses, as well as inputs management. Increased support will be provided to the livestock sector through promotion of value chains; development of feed resources; and disease control.

Government will promote a vibrant fisheries and aquaculture sector through research, sustainable management and utilization of the fisheries resources that would enhance employment and create livelihood opportunities, generate income and foreign exchange earnings, and contribute to food, and nutrition security. In this regard, key interventions will address institutional development (human, policy and legislative, systems and tools); enhance fisheries infrastructure; and the improvement of value chains for fisheries and aquaculture.